In 2016, a silent force emerged in North Toronto, quietly changing lives and communities. The North Toronto Sports Foundation, a beacon of inclusion, was established to ensure that no child is denied the chance to embrace soccer due to financial constraints.
With an increasing number of children from low-income families, refugees, and immigrants making North Toronto their home, participating in their beloved sport became a distant dream. North Toronto Soccer is proud to support players across it’s various programs with a Fee Assistance Program to remove barriers to play. Recognizing this, a group of like-minded individuals, led by Reg Watson and Doug Blair, gave rise to the North Toronto Sports Foundation. This non-profit charity stands as a guardian, offering both funding and programs for these deserving children.
Understanding the transformative power of sports, especially team sports like soccer, the foundation aims not just to shape individual lives but to forge resilient communities.
Under the stewardship of the North Toronto Soccer, specialized programs such as Special Olympics cater to these communities. Every child enrolled in these programs benefits from the expertise of coaches and peers, ensuring a personalized and supportive experience. The pride of the Club is its Special Olympics program, a full year program running in 4 x 10-week weekend seasons, that currently engages over 60 enthusiastic children throughout the year. Additionally, through support from the foundation, players from the Special Olympics program can enjoy a week at North Toronto Summer Camp wihch provides a free and joyous football experience under the sunshine, fostering camaraderie among friends.
Naomi Schafler, the Director of the North Toronto Sports Foundation, encapsulates the essence of their mission, stating, “Children and youth who have had to leave their homeland need safe places to grow, play, and learn. By offering subsidies and support to our refugee and recent immigrant communities to enable them to engage in organized soccer programs, we hope to welcome newcomers in a way that will improve their lives and improve our city.”
The program’s success is not advertised through grand campaigns but through the purest form of endorsement: word of mouth. Excited children attending the same schools eagerly share the news of this remarkable program at the North Toronto Soccer Club.
In the spirit of inclusivity, soccer stands as the sport for all, ensuring that no child is denied the opportunity to savor the joys that soccer brings.
Follow the link for more info on supporting the North Toronto Sports Foundation.
